GLENDALE, Ariz. — Oklahoma State's celebration at midfield of University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday night signaled redemption as much as victory.

Oklahoma State's Quinn Sharp (13) kicks the game-winning field goal during the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinal at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

For Quinn Sharp, whose potential game-winning field goal that sailed over the right upright at Iowa State more than a month ago symbolized just how close the Cowboys were to making the national championship game.

For an OSU defense that gave up two grinding touchdown drives in the second half that lasted six minutes or longer and allowed Stanford to get into field-goal range in the final seconds.

For a Cowboy offense that could not turn a Stanford fumble recovered at the Cardinal three-yard line into a touchdown.

Sharp's 22-yard field goal in overtime capped a thrilling 41-38 Fiesta Bowl victory for the Cowboys in a game it appeared that OSU had lost with three seconds remaining in regulation.

Sharp's winning kick came after Stanford's Jordan Williamson missed a 35-yarder as time expired in regulation and then a 43-yarder to start the first overtime period.

“Every time we got down, we were resilient and came back,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said.

After OSU tied the game with 2:35 to play in the fourth on a four-yard touchdown run by Joseph Randle, Andrew Luck directed Stanford on a nine-play 63-yard drive down to the OSU 17. But Williamson's kick sailed wide left, giving the Cowboys extra life.